Westmeath New Business Ideas competition, which was launched this week, has been called a prime example of public and private sectors working in partnership to lay the foundations for a thriving and sustainable enterprise.
Speaking at the launch of the compeition which took place at County Buildings, Mullingar, yesterday, Thursday January 26, Minister for Small Business, John Perry commended the hard work put in by Westmeath County Development Board. “Local Government-led County Development Boards play an important role in bringing about a more co-ordinated delivery of publicly funded services at local level,” he said.
The competition aims to support start-up businesses across Westmeath.
Westmeath County Council and the member agencies of the economic development sub-committee of Westmeath County Development Board, in association with LIR Investors, Stephens Cooke & Associates, and Handyweb are proud to offer this exciting new business promotion opportunity which hopes to find a new and innovative business idea that will creates sustainable employment in Westmeath.
The competition is open to anyone with a new business idea in the county. This idea needs to be able to create a real and genuine opportunity for a new business in Westmeath. The competition is intended to encourage people with an entrepreneurial flair to consider self-employment as a real option.
The first prize of €12,000 will consist of the tools to start your own business from scratch, in the form of business services and products including: A rent free enterprise unit for one year worth €4,000 (choice of unit in Mullingar, Athlone, or Castlepollard; start-up finance of €2,000; accountancy and advisory services worth €2,000; website design worth €2,000; business mentoring worth €2,000.
Entry forms are available from the offices of Westmeath County Council, Westmeath County Enterprise Board and Westmeath Community Development Ltd, and can be downloaded from www.westmeathcoco.ie
Completed entries to be received by post before 12pm on Friday March 9.
A shortlist of five entries will be selected for follow-up interview and presentation of business plan/next steps to the judging panel.
Closing the launch, Minister Perry said the supports being made available are most practical and hopefully will lay the foundation for a thriving and sustainable enterprise.
“The initiative is a prime example of the public and private sectors working in partnership for the betterment of society,” he said.
